TYPE: Walking Tours
DURATION Full Day with Lunch (?)
HIGHLIGHTS: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace &Suleymaniye or Rustempasa Mosque
On this one- full day sightseeing tour you will discover the absolute highlights of Sultanahmet area in old city of Istanbul; Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Grand Bazaar, Rustempasa Mosque, Topkapi Palace.Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hagia (St.) Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Topkapi Palace, Imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc…Grand Covered Bazaar, Most attractive shopping center and biggest “souk” in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewelry, gold, carpets, leatherwear and souvenirs.
* The Hippodrome of Constantinople
The Hippodrome was a horse-racing track and the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are visited.
* Blue Mosque
One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Blue Mosque is a superb creation in classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
* Hagia Sophia Museum
Now a museum, the Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.
* Grand Covered Bazaar
In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is especially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets.
* Topkapı Palace
The Imperial residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years until 1922, the palace is a premiere attraction in Istanbul. It houses exhibits of art, books, jewels, plates, the Harem (the residence of the Sultan’s wives, concubines, and children), costumes, the Treasury and Holy Relics. The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures,
The Harem is not included within this program.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest mosque of Istanbul built by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The Mosque is decorated with the finest examples of Iznik tiles.
TOUR PRICES
Minimum 3-8 people
Per Person 80 EUR or 90 USD
Minimum 1-2 people
Per Person 90 EUR or 110 USD